The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15

true TO certain rustic habit Of practical
perception to observe that the tread OF the
phantom was quite audible over the crust
of snow, and was visible and palpable as
the imprint of military boot.
The blood came back to Thankful's
cheek and with IL her old audacity. In
another instant she was out from the
tree and tracking with light feline tread
the apparition that now doomed up the
hill before her. Slipping from tree to
tree, she followed 1t until 1t passed before
the door of q low hut or farm shed that
stood midway up the hill. Here IL en-
tered and the door closed behind IL. With
every sense feverishly alert, Thankful,
from the secure advantage OF large ma
pie, watched the door of the hut. In
few moments 1t reopened to the same lg-
ure free Of its gray enwrappings. For
getful Of everything now but detecting
the face of the impostor, the fearless girl
left the tree and placed herself directly in
the path of the figure At the same mo
ment Il turned toward her inquiringly,
and the moonlight fell upon the calm,
composed features Of Gen. Washington.
In her CONSERVATION Thankful could
only drop an embarrassed courtesy and
hang out two lovely signals OF distress in
her cheeks. The face Of the pseudo ghost
alone remained unmoved.
.You are wandering late, Mistress
Thankful" he said at last, with pater-
nal gravity; land fear that the formal
restraint Of military household has
already given you some embarrassment
Yonder sentry, for instance, might have
stopped you" go,
ooh, he did" said Thankful quickly;
''but It's all right, please your excellenoy
He asked me who went there and j
told him; and he was vastly polite, / as
sure you"
The grave features OF the commander
in-chief relaxed in "a smile. "You are
more happy than most of your sex IN
turning verbal compliment TO practical
account For know then, dear young
lady, that in honor Of your visit TO the
headquarters the password tonight
through this encampment was none other
than your own pretty patronymic-
Thankful Blossom.
The tears glittered in the girls eyes
and her lip trembled; but, with all her
readiness Of speech, she could only say,
"Oh, your excellencyW
''Then you did pass the sentryP' con-
tinued Washington, looking ut her intently
with certain grave watchfulness in his
gray eyes. "And doubtless you wandered
at the river bank. Although i myself,
tempted by the night, sometimes extend
my walk as far as yonder shed, 1t were a
hazardous act for n young lady TO pass be-
yond the protection Of the line"
"Ohl | met no one, your excellency,"
said the usually truthful Thankful hastily,
rushing to her first lie with grateful i'm
petuosity.
"And saw no oner' asked Washington
quietly.
"No one," said Thankful, raising her
brown eyes to the Generals.
They both looked at each other-the
naturally most veracious young woman in
the colonies, and the subsequent allegori-
cal impersonatiOn Of truth in America
and knew each other lied, and, / imagine,
respected each other for 1t.
II am glad to hear yoa say so, Mistress
Thankful" said Washington quietly, 'for
'twould have been natural for you to have
sought an interview with your recreant
lover in yonder camp, though the attempt
would have been unwise and impossible. y
81 had no such thought, your excel
lency," said Thankful, who had really
quite forgotten her late intention; yet,
IL with your permission | could hold few
moments converse with Capt. Brewster,
II would greatly ease my mind"
"'Twould not be we'll for tn. present"
said Washington thOughtfully. but in
q day or two Capt. Brewster will be tried
by courtmartial at Morristown. 1t shall
be so ordered that when he Is conveyed
thither his guard shall halt at the Bios
som Farm. will see that the officer in
command gives you an opportunity to see
him. And | think can promise also,
Mistress Thankful, that your father shall
be also present under his own roof, free
man."
They had reached the entrance to the
mansion, and entered the hail. Thankful
turned impulsively, and kissed the ex-
tended hand OF the commander. "4ou
are so gOod l have been SO foolish-so
very, very wrong" she said, with slight
trembling Of her lip. "And your excel
lency believes my story; and those gentle
men were not spies, but even rs they gave
themselves to be-"
IL said not that much" replied Wash
ington with kindly smile, "butno mat
ter. Tell me rather, Mistress Thankful,
how far your acquaintance with these
gentlemen has gone; or did it end with
the box on the ear that you gave the
baronf"
ale had asked me to ride with him to
the Baskingridge, and had said-yes,"
faltered Mistress Thankful.
"Unless / misjudge you, Mistress
Thankful, you can without great sacrifice
promise me that you will not see him until
give you my permission" said Wash
ington, with grave playfulness.
The swinging light shone full in Thank
ful's truthful eyes Us she lifted them to
his.
81 do" she said quietly.
"Good night" said the commander,
with formal bow.
GOOD night, your excellency."
ITO DO Continued